How to Introduce a Toy to a Parrot

Parrots are territorial and suspicious of new things, even things that are meant to be fun. Don't just stick a new toy in his cage where it might frighten your bird; take these few steps to help him adjust.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• New toy
• Quick-links or other bird-safe clips for attaching toy to cage

1. Place the toy in an area where people sit and where he can see it from inside his cage. Let him see that people can be near the toy and don't fear it.

2. The next day, place the toy close to the cage, but far below the bird's normal perching level. Birds feel dominant over things that they are higher than and threatened by things that are higher than them.

3. The next day, hang the toy outside the cage, at the bottom of the cage. Wait until the bird comes down to investigate, which might take a few days. When he pokes at the toy through the cage, take the next step.

4. Move the toy to the approximate place you'll want to hang it, but still outside the cage. The cage will continue to make your bird feel secure. When he resumes investigating or playing with the toy through the cage, move to the next step.

5. Finally, hang the toy in its appropriate position. By now, your parrot is accustomed to the sight, sound and feel of the toy and it's no longer a threat. He's probably been looking forward to having the toy inside, where he can actually play with it.

Tips & Warnings

• If your parrot seems frightened by the new toy when it's hanging on the outside of his cage, try adding some treats to the toy: wedge a sunflower seed or grape in the quick-link clip, tie a peanut to the toy with bird-safe rope, etc. Eventually, his desire for the peanut will overcome his shyness about the toy, and once he has touched the toy, he will begin to trust it.

• If you're raising a baby bird, introduce it to new objects frequently so it never develops a fear of new toys.

• Always use toys made with bird-safe rope, chain and clips; bird-safe materials can't trap, entangle or choke a bird and don't contain zinc or other toxic materials. Inexpensive imported bird toys are not always safe. Trust name brands.